Glycemy and serum concentrations of insuline, triglycerides and cortisol in Quarter horses and crossbred submitted to team ropping

Abstract

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effects of a ropping team competition (high intensity and short duration  exercise) on glycemy and serum concentrations of cortisol, insuline and triglycerides in horses during competition at  Espírito Santo state, Brazil. Blood samples were obtained from 10 Quarter Horses, or cross-bred, in three moments:  (1) at rest, one week before the competition, with the animals being trained, (2) just before the competition, and (3) immediately after the exercise. Results showed that the imposed exercise did not influence plasmatic glucose, with  mean values of 96.1±12.9mg/dL, 101.3±11.9mg/dL e 100.2±13.9mg/dL, and serum insuline, with mean values of 1.95±1.47μUI/mL, 2.36±1.21μUI/mL e 1.54±1.08μUI/mL, respectively on the moments T0, T1 and T2. Differently, it  was possible to observe a positive influence of the exercise over serum triglycerides, with mean values of 17.9±4.7mg/  dL, 23.7±11.8mg/dL e 42.3±20.6mg/dL, and serum cortisol, with mean values of 7.49±3.46mg/dL, 6.86±2.76mg/dL e  10.89±3.99mg/dL, respectively on the moments T0, T1 and T2. It was possible to suggest that horses were adapted to  the imposed level of exercise.